Kuwait has 13 official public holiday days a year: New Year’s Day, Isra and Mi’raj, National Day (25 February), Liberation Day (26 February), Eid al-Fitr (3 days), Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha (3 days), Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday. The next holidays are New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027 and Isra and Mi’raj, expected around 5 January 2027. Islamic dates depend on the moon sighting, and the Cabinet often moves a day off to create a long weekend. The weekend in Kuwait is Friday and Saturday.
On this page
- Kuwait public holidays 2026
- Kuwait public holidays 2027 (expected)
- Long weekends to expect in 2027
- How holiday dates are decided in Kuwait
- Do private-sector employees get these holidays?
- Government, banks and schools on public holidays
- National Day and Liberation Day
- Eid holidays in Kuwait
- Ramadan and working hours
- Planning travel around Kuwait holidays
- Frequently asked questions
- Related pages
Kuwait public holidays 2026
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu 1 Jan 2026 | Fixed |
| Isra and Mi’raj | Fri 16 Jan 2026 (government day off moved to Sun 18 Jan) | Islamic |
| National Day | Wed 25 Feb 2026 | Fixed |
| Liberation Day | Thu 26 Feb 2026 | Fixed |
| Eid al-Fitr (3 days) | Fri 20 – Sun 22 Mar 2026 | Islamic |
| Arafat Day | Tue 26 May 2026 | Islamic |
| Eid al-Adha (3 days) | Wed 27 – Fri 29 May 2026 (government holiday 26–31 May) | Islamic |
| Islamic New Year 1448 | Tue 16 Jun 2026 | Islamic |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Thu 27 Aug 2026 (observed) | Islamic |
All 2026 holidays have now passed or been announced. For Isra and Mi’raj the Civil Service Commission gave government staff Sunday 18 January off, because the occasion fell on a Friday. For Eid al-Adha the Cabinet approved a six-day break for ministries and government bodies from Tuesday 26 May to Sunday 31 May 2026, with work resuming on Monday 1 June. The Prophet’s Birthday holiday was observed on Thursday 27 August 2026.
Kuwait public holidays 2027 (expected)
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Fixed |
| Isra and Mi’raj | Tue 5 Jan 2027 (expected) | Islamic |
| National Day | Thu 25 Feb 2027 | Fixed |
| Liberation Day | Fri 26 Feb 2027 | Fixed |
| Eid al-Fitr (3 days) | Tue 9 – Thu 11 Mar 2027 (expected) | Islamic |
| Arafat Day | Sat 15 May 2027 (expected) | Islamic |
| Eid al-Adha (3 days) | Sun 16 – Tue 18 May 2027 (expected) | Islamic |
| Islamic New Year 1449 | Sun 6 Jun 2027 (expected) | Islamic |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Sat 14 Aug 2027 (expected; may be observed on a weekday) | Islamic |
| Isra and Mi’raj (second in 2027) | Late December 2027 (expected) | Islamic |
Fixed holidays (New Year, National Day and Liberation Day) are certain. Islamic holidays are calculated from the Hijri calendar and can move by a day once the moon is sighted. Because the Islamic year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Isra and Mi’raj is expected to fall twice in 2027 – in early January and again in late December. Ramadan 1448 is expected to start around 8 February 2027.
The Cabinet or the Civil Service Commission announces the exact days off for each occasion, usually one to two weeks before. Check official announcements before booking flights around an Islamic holiday.
Long weekends to expect in 2027
Based on the expected dates and the Friday–Saturday weekend, this is how the 2027 holidays fall. Final days off depend on the moon sighting and Cabinet decisions, so treat this table as a planning guide rather than an official schedule, and confirm with your employer before booking travel.
| Occasion | Expected dates | What it could mean |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Fri 1 Jan | Falls on the weekend; governments sometimes do not move it |
| Isra and Mi’raj | Tue 5 Jan (expected) | Often moved to a Sunday or Thursday to join the weekend |
| National and Liberation Day | Thu 25 – Fri 26 Feb | Thursday to Saturday, a three-day weekend |
| Eid al-Fitr | Tue 9 – Thu 11 Mar (expected) | Tuesday to Saturday at least; bridge days possible |
| Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha | Sat 15 – Tue 18 May (expected) | Friday to Tuesday, possibly extended for government staff |
| Islamic New Year | Sun 6 Jun (expected) | Friday to Sunday |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Sat 14 Aug (expected) | Falls on the weekend; may be moved to a weekday |
How holiday dates are decided in Kuwait
- Fixed dates: 1 January, 25 February and 26 February are holidays every year.
- Moon sighting: the start of Shawwal (Eid al-Fitr) and Dhul Hijjah (Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha) is confirmed by Kuwait’s moon-sighting committee the evening before.
- Moving the day off: when a holiday falls on a Friday, Saturday or in mid-week, the Cabinet often moves it to a Sunday or Thursday so that staff get a long weekend.
- Bridge days: the Cabinet sometimes adds extra “rest days” between a holiday and the weekend for government bodies.
Use our Hijri date converter to see how upcoming Islamic dates map to the Gregorian calendar.
Do private-sector employees get these holidays?
Yes. Article 68 of Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 gives private-sector workers paid official holidays: New Year’s Day (1 day), Isra and Mi’raj (1), Eid al-Fitr (3), Arafat Day (1), Eid al-Adha (3), Islamic New Year (1), Prophet’s Birthday (1), National Day (1) and Liberation Day (1) – 13 days in total.
| Situation | What the law says |
|---|---|
| You are given the day off | Paid as a normal working day |
| You work on a public holiday | Double pay plus a replacement day off |
| Holiday falls during annual leave | Not counted as part of your annual leave |
| Cabinet adds extra days for government | Not automatic for private companies; depends on the employer |
| Holiday moved by the Cabinet | Private employers usually follow the official day, but check your company circular |
For more on working hours, leave and overtime, see our Kuwait Labour Law guide.
Government, banks and schools on public holidays
- Ministries and government bodies close on all official holidays and on any extra days the Cabinet approves. Most e-services in the Sahel app keep working.
- Banks follow the Central Bank of Kuwait’s announcement for each occasion; online banking and ATMs work as usual.
- Schools close on public holidays; private schools publish their own calendars, which can add mid-term breaks – see the Kuwait school calendar.
- Malls, co-ops and restaurants stay open and are often busiest during Eid.
- Hospitals and emergency services work as normal; government clinics may run reduced hours.
National Day and Liberation Day
National Day on 25 February celebrates Kuwait’s independence (gained in 1961) and the nation itself, and Liberation Day on 26 February marks the liberation of Kuwait in 1991. Together they form the biggest national celebration of the year, with flags, lights, fireworks and crowds along the Arabian Gulf Street. Traffic is very heavy, and water-balloon and foam-spray celebrations are restricted by the authorities. See our Kuwait National Day 2027 page for events.
Eid holidays in Kuwait
Eid al-Fitr follows Ramadan and lasts three official days; Eid al-Adha comes after Arafat Day during the Hajj season and also lasts three days. For government staff both are often extended to five or six days by joining them with the weekend. Expect busy airports, higher flight prices and crowded malls. Eid prayers are held shortly after sunrise in mosques and open prayer grounds.
Ramadan and working hours
Ramadan itself is not a public holiday, but working hours are shorter. Government offices work reduced hours, and under the labour law private-sector working hours for fasting employees are limited to 36 hours a week. Restaurants open in the evening, and eating or drinking in public during fasting hours is not allowed. See Ramadan in Kuwait and the Ramadan imsakiya.
Planning travel around Kuwait holidays
- Book flights early for Eid and National Day; prices and airport queues peak on the first day of each break.
- Allow extra time at the airport and land borders, and make sure your residency and fines are clear before you travel.
- If you work in the private sector, confirm your exact days off with HR before booking.
- Watch for expected Islamic dates shifting by one day after the moon sighting – choose refundable or flexible tickets if possible.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Kuwait have?
13 paid public holiday days a year under the labour law, plus any extra days the Cabinet grants to government staff.
What is the next public holiday in Kuwait?
New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027, followed by Isra and Mi’raj, expected around 5 January 2027.
Is 25 February a holiday in Kuwait?
Yes. National Day (25 February) and Liberation Day (26 February) are fixed public holidays every year.
How many days is the Eid al-Fitr holiday in Kuwait?
Three official days, often extended by the Cabinet to five or six days including the weekend.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027 in Kuwait?
Expected from Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 March 2027, subject to the moon sighting.
Do private companies have to give public holidays?
Yes. Private-sector workers are entitled to the 13 paid holidays, and those who work on a holiday get double pay plus a day off.
What is the weekend in Kuwait?
Friday and Saturday for government offices and most companies.
Is Ramadan a holiday in Kuwait?
No, but working hours are reduced for government staff and fasting private-sector employees.